Despite a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on Saturday, key sources revealed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended. The water-sharing pact, which was established in 1960 and mediated by the World Bank, governs the division of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nations.
The suspension of the treaty follows India’s withdrawal last month in response to a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Kashmir, which India accused Pakistan of backing. Pakistan denied involvement and announced plans for international legal action over the suspension of the treaty, which is critical for providing water to around 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural land.
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Sources from Pakistan’s water ministry confirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty was not discussed during the ceasefire negotiations. An Indian government source also stated that there was no change in India’s stance on the treaty. There has been no immediate response from India’s foreign ministry regarding the issue.
The suspension of the treaty is part of a broader set of measures, including border closures, trade suspensions, and visa restrictions between the two countries following the Kashmir attack. While fighting ceased after the ceasefire agreement, both nations continue to maintain these measures in place.
